The Washington Capitals will try to get back in their first-round series vs the Columbus Blue Jackets after dropping the first two games at home. The Capitals were stunned in the first two games in overtime by the upstart Blue Jackets and Washington will now need to steal games on the road if it intends to win this series.
- The total has gone OVER in the Blue Jackets’ last eight games.
- The Capitals are 7-1 SU in their last eight games with one day off between games.
- The Capitals are 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three games vs the Blue Jackets.
Most experts and analysts had Washington winning this series handily. Now, the Capitals are trying to find answers. They’ve started each game firing, going up 2-0 in the first period in both games before coughing up the lead. Washington was 38-1 SU in 39 games when leading after the first period this season, which is why it was so shocking to watch the Caps crumble in their barn.
Goaltender Philipp Grubauer didn’t do the Caps any favors by giving up four goals on 22 shots in Game 2 and now Washington will go back to veteran Braden Holtby between the pipes for Game 3. If bettors are planning to back the Caps tonight, the good news is they’ve won five straight road games and are 6-3 SU in their last nine games vs Columbus.
As for the Blue Jackets, they continue to surprise and now are in the envious position of being up 2-0 before getting a home game in the series. This is the first time Columbus has ever led a playoff series in franchise history and the Jackets are red-hot, winning 16 of their last 20 games and nine of their last 11 at Nationwide Arena.
One of the main reasons for the Blue Jackets’ success has been the stellar goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky. The Capitals peppered the Russian with a whopping 58 shots in Game 2 and he settled down to keep the Blue Jackets in both games after allowing early goals. Defensively, Columbus is top-notch at home, allowing only 2.37 goals per game (ranked second) and should feel very confident heading back to Ohio.
The total opened at 5.5 and bettors should consider the OVER. The OVER has hit in four straight games in this matchup with an average combined score of 7.1 goals per game.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to back the visiting Washington Capitals before puck drop in this match found them as -109 moneyline underdogs at Sportsbook. They saw an Sportsbook total of 5.5, according to Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 3.4-2.6 victory for the Capitals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Washington Capitals have seen them go 49-26-9 so far this season, while the Blue Jackets are at 47-30-7. In totals betting, the Blue Jackets are 43-41, while the Capitals are 48-34-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Columbus vs Washington injuries news.
It's an NHL hockey betting matchup between the No. 6-rated Blue Jackets and the No. 7-ranked Capitals, according to the latest NHL power poll here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Columbus Blue Jackets' No. 16-ranked offense (2.99 goals per game) against a Washington Capitals defense that ranks No. 15 at 2.95 goals per game allowed. The Blue Jackets power play has clicked at a 18.14% rate while the Capitals have a 79.42% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Washington is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games
- Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Columbus is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Columbus is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games
- Columbus is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Washington at Columbus, Thursday, April 19
